Heartbreak, Tennessee

by Ruby Laska

Amber DeWitt knows she won’t be able to avoid Mac entirely when her job brings her back to Heartbreak, Tennessee, her home town.

But she is determined to try.

Their love affair ended fourteen years ago, when she was just eighteen. She begged Mac to run away with her after she learned a terrible secret about their two families. When Mac refused, Amber vowed to disappear forever.

But now, Amber has been forced to return to help her employer plan a theme park to be set in Heartbreak. She intends to get the trip over with as quickly as possible and return to her life in Nashville, a life that includes a relationship with aspiring singer Dean Hamilton.

Unfortunately, negotiating the theme park isn’t as easy as Amber had hoped. The park’s number one opponent is Heartbreak’s mayor—none other than Mac. And when he’s not shooting down her proposal, he’s proposing the kind of collaboration that ignites long-buried passions.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Fiction, Ebooks, Second Chance

169 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 26, 2012

About the author

Ruby Laska grew up in a small midwestern town, where her passions included state fairs, Vince Gill, and the local library. A recent West Coast transplant, she lives and works in Emeryville, California. When not writing, Ruby loves to explore San Francisco’s neighborhoods, stopping in at every shoe store and searching for the perfect cup of joe.

Ruby is the author of:

BLACK GOLD (Boomtown Boys Series)
BLACK HEAT (Boomtown Boys Series)
BLACK FLAME (Boomtown Boys Series)

LARISSA LEARNS TO BREATHE (Cupid Island Series)
MANDY MAKES HER MARK (Cupid Island Series)
PLAIN JANE'S BIRTHDAY WISH (Cupid Island Series)

A MAN FOR THE SUMMER
ALONG FOR THE RIDE
HEARTBREAK, TENNESSEE
MINE 'TIL MONDAY
MOUNTAIN SONG

MISS BONNY'S BURIED TREASURE (Short Story)

Reviews

[Anne OK · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes I just can't help myself; I adore a plain simple romance set in a small country town. Add a second chance at love trope where there's no question love has been renewed, along with a little heat and a touch of angst, and I’ve found my next comfort read.

This book is just lighthearted and fun to read. There are some past misunderstandings to be conquered but nothing too over-the-top. The relationship moved forward at a satisfactory pace. I liked both lead characters and the secondary cast was a plus as well.

If you’re looking for a romance that is simply that – and you like small town settings, then I would recommend this one. Well-written and a pleasant and comfy read.


(Amazon freebie)

[AliciaJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh. Juvenile misunderstandings and overblown dialogue. Not my cup of tea.

[Ella Medler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little romance, this novel is an easy read with a bit of fire, but not too much, and a nice flowing rhythm.

The plot is limited and follows the usual teens separated – later reunited pattern, but it’s fresh in its delivery and a satisfying read.

I enjoyed getting into the characters’ heads. Amber and Mac are unable to stay away from each other, yet the air needs to be cleared before they are entirely comfortable with each other. A couple of secondary characters are fun to read, too, and the local small-town folk sounds realistic.

That brings me to the descriptions. I loved them. That’s it, simply put. The author got the atmosphere just right and I genuinely felt like I was the one wandering the streets of Heartbreak, Tennessee. Beautifully-done.

All in all, I have enjoyed this book and I have read it in only two sittings. The writing was clean, the voice easy-reading, editing good… The only thing that will keep it away from the maximum five stars is the feeble plot. I recommend this book for a day of lazy reading. Four stars.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a nice little read! The characters were easy enough to like and I read the book in one sitting. I did get a little frustrated with the back and forth, like watching a train wreck but can't look away, path that their relationship took on, but in the end it was very sweet and very worth the read. Recommended for anyone looking for a sweet, "pick me up" read.

[Connie N. · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was just OK for me. Amber has returned to her small home town of Heartbreak because her boss (the hot country music star) has decided she wants to build a Dollywood-type theme park there. Amber has lots of conflicting feelings since she left town 14 years ago, suddenly breaking things off with her true love and totally rebuilding her life. Now that she's back, there's still the same old attraction between her and Mac. Plus he's the mayor, so there'll definitely be some zoning problems unless they can work out their differences. My biggest problem with this book was Amber. She keeps sending mixed signals--getting together with Mac, then saying they can't be together, then saying she wants to work things out, but then not telling him the reason she left in the first place. She's definitely a runner--totally running away anytime she gets uncomfortable. It happened several times in this book. I mean, for Pete's sake, just a simple conversation when she was first going to leave could have saved them both years of heartache. But Mac also ran away when he discovered something he didn't like, also passing judgment before knowing the whole story. Sheesh, I found myself frustrated over their total lack of communication! On the plus side, the romance is sweet and the story kept my interest. I'll probably give this new-to-me author another try to see if she comes up with a better scenario next time.

[Tracy Cates · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, but...

There were parts that were confusing. Not as far as the storyline goes, but the there were transitions in the book without clear markings. The storybwould skip from one point of view to another without indications. I had to reread a few paragraphs a few time for my brain to catch up what was happening.

I felt once Amber talked about her mom, the past drama was predictable, but still made for a good story.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short okay read. Lack of communication is my least favorite trope.

[Rabecka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute, fast read romance.

[JadeShea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartbreak, Tennessee starts with Amber going back to her home town for her job, and running into everything she left behind when she ran away 14 years ago. She sees the love of her life Mac again, and knows that her feelings haven't changed in all this time apart, she's still in love with him. But Amber knows she can't tell him what happened back then, and that she can't let her feelings show now because she is determined to go back to Nashville and forget all about Mac and her home town.

Mac on the other hand wants to know what happened so long ago, and he's determined to try to keep her there with him. He's not going to let her run away again.

This book has lots of character's to fall in love with, and beautiful story line that I adore. I really enjoyed this book, and I would be happy to read more from this author. It was very well written, and lots of passion, and heartache all in one!

[life's a fairy tale · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was decent, especially for a free read. I probably would have rated it three stars had I not just finished an amazing book, so it was hard to like this one as much. Anyway, this book was about lost love - Amber ran off because of Mac's father, only to return years later still in love with him (and vice versa). I felt the story in itself was very repetitive and rushed. The same things keep happening, I love him but I don't, then a misunderstanding, and then back to the start again. There were some secondary characters but none we get to know enough to love. I felt like I didn't know too much about either of the main characters either...other than they were pretty over dramatic. Regardless, a quick read and not bad for being free!

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another story of young love so strong that both parties even though they part ways never really fall into love like that again.
Amber left town fourteen years ago never looking back. She didn't even return for her mother's funeral. But now she is back in Heartbreak with her boss a country star who wants to open a theme park she has has to face Mac again.
Mac never learned love from his parents they were cold and unhappy people but he never left Heartbreak. He builds his father's business but never gives his heart to anyone.
Amber and Mac fight thru a lot of pain and forgiveness in this book.
It was a sweet romance.

[Julie Post · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an okay book I got for free. The writing was fine but the story just got blah for me. 14 years and they still love each other after such a betrayal of trust? I takes forever to find out what truly happened because Amber keeps running away from Mac every time he asks her why she left. 14 years later and she still can't face it? When I finally got to the big reveal, I was like....is that it? It was hard to believe that Mac was still so in love with her. Yep, the story was just not for me...

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love second chance romance stories and this one was a really good example. Ruby Laska drew me in and made me want to know what scared Amber out of town without a backward glance for the love of her life. The fact that Mac hadn’t ever moved on was amazing too. The fact that their love was so strong it held them with each other even though they were apart for 14 years. The love these two shared overcame time and all the difficulties life threw at them.
For my full review, go here: http://wp.me/p3a6Qw-7i

[Brenda Margriet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable but think I like the other RL I read better.

Amber and Mac were teenage sweethearts before Mac's father causes them to break up, unbeknownst to Mac, even though Amber tries to explain. Now it's 11 years later and Amber is back in town with her boss, a famous country singer who wants to open a theme park a la Dollywood.

I'm not a big fan of the trope where teenage lovers hold torches for years and years and then get together. I honestly believe most 'real' people in that situation would get over it and move on.

Still, enjoyed it.

[Annette · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Two lovers who had to be separated for more than a decades because of a thread...
Years later they are forced to face each other...
Would the love be still there?

I liked this book. I'm a softy for chick lit now and then. Really nice characters. The story, I felt, had a bit more to offer. Some plot could had been worked (sometimes I was like... is this it?), but NEVERTHELESS a really cute story.

I'll definitely read more stories about this author

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd say this was closer to a 3.5 star book. It was entertaining. Even though the couple haven't seen each other in 14 years the attraction is still there. Mac doesn't want to feel it as he feels betrayed with the way Amber left town. Mac wants answers but everytime she gets close to telling him she clams up. That got to be a bit redundant. Eventually the truth comes out.

[Angel **Book Junkie** · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that just was plain to me but, I didn't dislike it, it was better than okay but, i did not like it enough to give it four stars. I think I could just predict the ending therefore I wanted more, maybe ole' dad could have been still alive causing trouble or something. It just was there cute story but, it needed something!

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think what I enjoyed the most was the small town Tennessee setting since that's where I was born and raised. The story is good but a bit drawn out since it takes pretty much the entire book to find out why Amber left Mac the first time. If you enjoy a simple love story then you'll probably enjoy this one.

[Valetta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book...however would have to say I would like to have known more about the past history for Mac and Amber and Mac`s father. To me that was what this was about Mac and Amber rekindling there relationship after a decade.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Amber is one strong gal to take on the challenges that were thrown her way. Mac is just the right mix of moody and sexy and definitely knows what he wants, but will he get it? I fell in love with this story from the very beginning! So happy I grabbed it when I did!

[Andria · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh I wasn't really feeling this book. The "big secret" reveal wasn't too surprising. I kinda had a feeling that what was what she was hiding from Mac. The book was kind of on the cheesy level for me.

[Amanda Harter · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book takes you on a ride into the past, but with today. Telling you the story of a girl who has to come back to the hometown she left, to the love of her life she had to leave. Great read! Love the love story

[Evey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, one big secret. Reminds me of my own small town. Good ending.

[Skye Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super easy, enjoyable romance with no bells and whistles.
Old love made new again.
Perfect for a beach read or a lighthearted read in a hammock.

[Jenny Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute, predictable chick lit

[Lindsey]

Amazon freebie 4/27/13

[T.H.]

Amazon freebie 4/27

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

A little quick but Mac melted my heart from the beginning!!!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a great book to read

[J.E. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story :)